Best of Boston

2011 Best Children's Bookstore

The Children’s Book Shop

Will future generations see actual hold-in-your-hands books as curious, unidentifiable objects? Not if the scene at this Brookline Village gem is any indication. The area’s oldest independent children’s bookstore has aisles teeming with tykes digging into the 28,000-plus titles on offer (all handpicked by owner Terri Schmitz). It also keeps the magic going with regular events like author appearances and book-themed store parties.

237 Washington St., Brookline, 617-734-7323,